February 9 is National Pizza Day. To satisfy your cravings, we've picked out a few standout restaurants for tasty pies.
Jackson's Bar and Oven, Santa Rosa: Pizzas range from simple Margherita to prosciutto with mascarpone, pear and arugula, daily specials and even a gluten-free version. House favorite is the House Made Sausage (tomato sauce, provolone, olives, goat horn peppers and oregano). Feeling adventurous? Go for the Undecided and let the chef surprise you. 135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-6900, jacksonsbarandoven.com. (Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)
Rosso, Santa Rosa: Wood-fired pizzas with the "true Neapolitan style of crisp" featuring the kind of ingredients you've come to expect in Sonoma County: fresh, organic, locally-sourced and seasonal. The Funghi di Limone with oven roasted mixed mushrooms, taleggio and fontina cheese, shaved artichokes, finished with lemon oil and fresh thyme, is a favorite (pictured). 53 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-544-3221, rossopizzeria.com. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Franchettis', Santa Rosa: Select your own pizza combo or try a German-style thin crust Flammkuchen ("cake made in fire") with crème fraîche, house-made burrata, thinly sliced onions, bacon lardons, and a green onion finish. 1229 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-526-1229, franchettis.com. (Erik Castro / For The Press Democrat)
Mary's Pizza Shack, Various Locations: Among the best local options for pizza with kids, who can create their own pizza here. Crayons and activity sheets are brought to the table, and the restaurant also has "sensory-friendly kits" for children with autism and other special needs. Various locations in Sonoma County, maryspizzashack.com. (Courtesy photo)
NY Pie, Santa Rosa: The go-to spot for desperate pizza fixes until 3 a.m. Try the “Godfather” with sausage, artichoke hearts, and garlic, or the lighter “Neapolitan” with fresh garden tomatoes and basil. NY Pie pizzas require the Manhattan-style fold to cram a slice into your face, and they’re uniquely Italian-American. 65 Brookwood Ave., Santa Rosa, 707 526-9743, new-york-pie.com. (Courtesy photo)
Pizza Leah, Windsor: Leah Scurto puts every bit of her soul into making dough, sauce and cheese as perfect as possible. Her pizzas come in two styles, thin-crust round pies that are 12 or 16 inches or square-pan pies, which are made in limited quantities. Pizza names are usually references to friends or family. 9240 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 116, Windsor, 707-620-0551, pizzaleah.com. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Tony's of North Beach, Rohnert Park: Hit the jackpot with a pizza from the pie master himself, Tony Gemignani, a 13-time World Pizza Champion. Gemignani’s pizzas — from a simple Margherita to progressive thin-crusted Roman pizzas (savory to sweet slices) — have just the right amount of crisp and gentle char to make you swear off Friday night pizza delivery forever. Graton Casino, 630 Park Ct., Rohnert Park, 707-588-7741. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Acre Pizza, Petaluma and Sebastopol: Detroit-style pizza is a winner, with a deep, crispy crust and melted cheese, along with seasonal favorite pies and slices. 1080 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma and 6760 McKinley St., Suite 150, Sebastopol, 707-827-3455, acrepizza.com. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Wild Goat Bistro, Petaluma: Thin and crispy pizzas lead the charge at this hidden gem in Petaluma. The stone and wood interior of the historic Great Petaluma Mill lends an Italian feel to the restaurant and fresh local ingredients elevate the Neapolitan style pies - there's even an "In Season" pizza. 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-658-1156, wildgoatbistro.com. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
Old Chicago, Petaluma: This 40-plus-year-old Petaluma staple serves up seriously deep-dish pizza that even a Chicago native can appreciate. You'll find an array of pies here, from double crust to thin crust, and toppings galore. Get a seat by the window for second-floor views of downtown Petaluma. 41 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-763-3897, oldchgo.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Red Grape, Sonoma: Brick-oven pies with an impossibly thin cracker crust that’s just sturdy enough for a few toppings, but shatters and crackles as soon as you stuff it into your mouth. Toppings range from classic clam, Margherita and cheese to California-influences like pear, gorgonzola, hazelnut and smoked bacon, or chipotle chicken with caramelized onions and cilantro. 529 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-4103, theredgrape.com. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
The Red Grape's Olive Flatbread, center, flanked by Braised Short Rib Pizza, left, and Mediterranean Pizza. Locals' favorite: The "Sonoma” (obviously) with Zoe’s Pepperoni, fennel sausage, sautéed mushrooms, red onion, pepper jack, mozzarella, parmesan. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Braised Short Rib Pizza at The Red Grape, in Sonoma. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Mary's Slice Shack, Sonoma: The best place in Sonoma to get a honking big slice on the go. It's a favorite spot for kids hanging out after the Tuesday's farmers market on the plaza. You can pick your toppings. 14 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-9290, maryssliceshack.com. (Robbi Pengelly / Sonoma Index Tribune)
Glen Ellen Star, Glen Ellen: Chef Weiswasser’s 650-degree custom-built wood oven perfumes the entire block with its smoke. Pizzas steal the show at this Wine Country classic, with a simple Margherita or White Pizza with guanciale and arugula easily feeding two. Try the tomato cream pie with espelette chili. 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. 707-343-1384, glenellenstar.com. (Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)
Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria, Geyserville: Fresh slices of house-cured lardo on top of a wood-fired pizza. Toss on a few tomatoes and you’ll never look at another piece of mushroom and pepperoni quite the same way again. And it’s just one of the devilish pizzas at Dino Bugica’s rustic pizzeria. 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
Journeyman Meat Co, Healdsburg: Peter Seghesio's warm yet minimalist salumeria showcases several hand-operated Berkel meat slicers, hanging salumi, extensive wine racks and a wood-fired pizza oven. Choose between the Bianco, the Rosso and the Verde, all featuring top-notch ingredients. 404 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-395-6328, journeymanmeat.com. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Papa's Pizza Cafe, Cloverdale: Looking for pizza and some financial advice? At Papa's Pizza in Cloverdale, you can get both. Owner Mike Nixon, a longtime financial planner and pie-spinner, operates a pizza parlor and financial services business under the same roof. The financial office is in the back of the pizzeria (most business is conducted online or over the phone). The Bear (pepperoni, pineapple, jalapenos, garlic and sausage) is a locals' favorite. 105 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-4453, papaspizzacafe.com. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Hippizzazz, Sebastopol: This sweet little pizzeria does solid traditional and deep dish pizzas with plenty of pizzazz. All the usual suspects, plus a solid Thai Chicken pizza (peanut sauce, chicken, basil, carrots, cilantro), Roasted Potato (think potato skin on a pizza) and the Carnitas de Jalisco (slow-roasted pork, pico, queso fresca). 280 S. Main, Sebastopol, 707-634-6530, hippizzazz.com (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Mombo’s, Sebastopol: There’s a reason this classic pizzeria is standing room only all weekend. It’s just darn good pizza. It’s our go-to on Friday nights, and we’re willing to wait the hour or two it takes for delivery during peak hours. 560 Gravenstein Highway N., Sebastopol, 707-823-7492, mombospizza.com (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Hazel, Occidental: Don’t be fooled by the small, nondescript building in the heart of Occidental that is Hazel. It’s full of life and great Mediterranean style food, including five kinds of wood-fired pizza. West county cheese take these pizzas to the next level; try the the Pt. Reyes Blue with caramelized onions, Marcona almonds, fig balsamic and arugula. 3782 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-6003, restauranthazel.com (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Gold Coast Coffee, Duncans Mills: On your way to the coast, stop by this cozy coffee shop for a cup of house roasted java and a wood-fired pizza on the deck. Homemade pastry is also baked in the wood-fired oven. 23577 Steelhead Blvd., Duncans Mills, 707-865-1441. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Raymond’s Bakery, Cazadero: Hidden among the redwood groves in Cazadero is your diet’s downfall. Award-winning baker Mark Raymond and his wife Elizabeth know how to knead the dough, serving up fresh racks of breads in all shapes and sizes along with pastries and awesome pizzas. 5400 Cazadero Highway, Cazadero, 707-632-5335, cazbakery.com (Darryl Bush / For The Press Democrat)
Huria’s, Bodega Bay: Best known for their wood-fired Napoletana pizzas that come in flavors so dreamy you’ll have a hard time choosing. Try the Bodega, with Bechamel sauce, clams, mozzarella and garlic. Or the Chateau Rouge with Havarti, fresh mozzarella, smoked and caramelized onions, cremini mushrooms, Parmesan and dried herbs with garlic oil. Takeout only. 1400 N. Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4721, hurias.com. (Huria's)
Il Fuoco, Sonoma: Chef Rob Larman isn't afraid to get creative with his wood-fired pizzas. Specialty pies include a massive Dungeness crab pizza, vegan pizza with dairy-free mozzarella or duck confit pizza. If you're in the mood for something more traditional, say, pepperoni or plain cheese, he's got that too. 18350 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma, 707-522-7778, ilfuocopizza.com. (Il Fuoco)
Il Fuoco, Sonoma: Chef Rob Larman isn't afraid to get creative with his wood-fired pizzas. Specialty pies include a massive Dungeness crab pizza, vegan pizza with dairy-free mozzarella or duck confit pizza. If you're in the mood for something more traditional, say, pepperoni or plain cheese, he's got that too. 18350 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma, 707-522-7778, ilfuocopizza.com. (Il Fuoco)
Spring Pizza with asparagus and mushrooms at Il Fuoco in Sonoma. (Il Fuoco)
Chili Roasted Dungeness Crab pizza at Il Fuoco in Sonoma. (Il Fuoco)
It’s hard to pick a favorite pizza spot, when so many Sonoma County restaurants serve up excellent pies — whether hand-tossed, wood-fired or ooey-gooey Friday-night-style. To satisfy your pizza cravings, we’ve gone through some of our favorites from the past and picked out a few standout restaurants for tasty pies. Click through the above gallery for details. Remember to check opening hours, dining options and menus, as these may vary. Share your go-to pizza spots in the comments.
